John Tejada is a source of consistently well-written techno music, but he probably doesn’t get enough credit for pushing at the boundaries of the style in his own subtle way. Signs Under Test may be relatively easy listening for his tenth album but it contains deeply personal music, Tejada preferring a more analogue approach to communicate in human terms. The subtle experimentation can be found in the rhythms, which are rarely your basic four to the floor and explore intricate, breaks-flavoured variations – and also in the harmonies, which twist and turn in unusual directions in tracks such as ‘Vaalbara’, which carries a strangely majestic air. ‘Heave In Sight’ is comparable with anything Orbital ever produced, while ‘Two 0 One’ sets the scene with firm beats and assured textures. Once again we find John Tejada staying slightly ahead of the curve.
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
{http://soundcloud.com/kompakt/y-0-why}
